Musharraf responsible for Balochistan crises : ICG

Islamabad, Sep 22 (UNI) The International Crisis Group (ICG) has held Pakistan President Gen Pervez Musharraf responsible for worsening of political and security situation in the troubled Balochistan province.

The group has predicted that the conflict could ''escalate if the army insists on seeking military solution to what is a political problem''.

While advocating for setting up a high level commission to investigate into killing of Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, the Brussels-based organisation said,''The military can retain control over Balochistan's territory through sheer force, but it can not defeat an insurgency that has local support.'' The six-page report said the tension between the government and its Baloch opposition has grown because of Islamabad's heavy handed armed response to militancy and its refusal to negotiate demands for political and economic autonomy. ''The conflict could escalate if the government insists on seeking military solution to what is a political problem''.

It said politically and marginalised Balochs see insurgency as a defensive response to the perceived colonialisation of their province by the Punjabi dominated military. Although the regional parties still seek provincial autonomy within a federal parliamentary democratic framework, there is little support for secession.

''Militant sentiments could grow if Islamabad does not reverse its harsh policies'', it further stated.

The ICG also recommended the military regime to end military action and withdraw Frontier Corps, replacing it with provincial security forces. ''There is an urgent need to start dialogue with all parties on finding ways to end crisis,'' it said.

It suggested forming a parliamentary committee with an equal number of members from the ruling and opposition benches to examine cases of abuse of power by the security forces.

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